Christmas Day

Woke up early as I was excited about our first Christmas Day in New Zealand. We had scrambled eggs and smoked salmon for breakfast while we were waiting for the girls to come online. We wanted to open our present from Kirsty and James while they were watching and as they were over at his parents decided to take the dog out first.

We were very surprised at how many people were in Rotary Park some already using the BBQs to cook breakfast. It was really warm and Totty was puffing and panting in her new collar.

When we got back we had a chat to our neighbours who were just going off to her mum's batch at the beach and the little girl, Greer had a new doll and pushchair and Petra was wobbling about on her new roller blades and Flynn showed us his new, blue wetsuit which he is so excited about. I had bought them a big box of Cadbury's mini bars and they were very pleased with them. We later found a bottle of wine and a box of home made truffles on our doorstep which was very nice of them.

When we got back we had a video call with the Kirsty, Heather and James and opened our present which is a huge hamper with lots of goodies in. They were getting ready to go out and some friends of theirs arrived so we said Happy Christmas to them all and then we made a call to Roger and Mary. It was lovely speaking to them and we had a long chat and said hello to Roger's sister, brother-in-law and his mother. And we found out about a big secret but I can't say yet on here but will in a few days.

It was now nearly lunchtime so we packed our picnic and set off for the beach. There weren't many cars on the road and the beach was quite quiet when we arrived but did get busier as they day went on. We set up our new little half tent and enjoyed a day on the beach and took a few photos with our Christmas hat on.

We were amused for a time watching two couples taking photos. They had brought down a Santa costume and a reindeer costume which they took turns in dressing up. They also brought down a small Christmas Tree and decorated it. Then they went down nearer the water and built a snowman out of sand and dressed him up and then took more photos. This went on for sometime and we decided that it was a mum and dad over from the UK (we guessed by the accent) to visit daughter and son-in-law and were taking the photos to send back home. Well it was good entertainment for us!

We enjoyed our picnic and our little bottle of bubbly but by 4.00 we felt hot and sticky and very sandy and although we had been invited to drop by and see Les and her family we felt too messy to do it so will have to leave that for another day.

After a nice shower and a cup of tea we felt much better. My neighbour, Margaret had left a message on the answerphone inviting us round for Christmas cake and wine but we didn't go but it was nice of her to ask.

We were supposed to go over to Bronwyn for coffee at 6.30 but Peter called to ask us if we could make it later and suggested 8.00. So we rearranged our plans and we made dinner and had that first sitting out on the deck and had some very nice fish, a different Christmas dinner but we enjoyed it.

We got over to Bronwyn and her daughter and son-in-law were just finishing the dishes. We sat outside and Peter made us a very good Irish coffee and I had some very good summer pudding that Bronwyn had made. Bronwyn was very subdued for her and she told me later that Peter had had a bad day which I suppose is why they had been so late with their dinner. I hope he feels better today, he has been so well lately. We had a lovely time with her family and left to call the girls at about 9.30.

We finally spoke to the girls and watched them opening their stockings which was lovely and they all seem so happy. We were amazed to see the size of the rabbits and how the cat is with them, he ignores them! So then they were all off to their various places for dinner.

We went to bed and I was feeling rather tiddly and might regret it tomorrow!

WEATHER
Sun, sun and more sun all day!